Customs officials today urged British holidaymakers to ensure their souvenirs can be legally brought back into the UK.

Weird and wonderful goods bought by tourists are regularly confiscated by Customs officers - everything from caviar to tortoises.

Other unusual items officers have found include swords and animal tusks.

Passengers caught in possession of prohibited goods will have them seized and could face fines or imprisonment.

Customs Minister Paul Boateng said: "Every year millions of tourists flock to Europe and faraway destinations and bring back an assortment of gifts and mementos that look innocent but can, in fact, be illegal.

"Most travellers are aware of the rules concerning drugs, alcohol and tobacco, but unsuspecting passengers must bear in mind that unusual souvenirs and gifts may be banned in the UK."

He added: "These include not just the obviously dangerous items like flick knives but goods such as coral, ivory and animal skins, whose trade damages the environment and endangers rare species.

"These goods are rightly and commonly seized by Customs officers. We owe it to each other and future generations to protect the world we live in, so think before you buy."

The Guide for Travellers, which offers advice on the items that passengers cannot bring back into the UK, has been updated by Customs.

Copies of the guide can be obtained by ringing the Customs and Excise National Advice Service on 0845 0109000.

Last year Customs and Excise seized more than 1,100 prohibited offensive weapons and 3,800 derivatives or parts of endangered species.

These included snakeskin handbags, shoes and lizard wallets.

In the London region, 230 offensive weapons - including swordsticks, machetes and knuckledusters - were discovered over the past year.

In spring this year, three young Spurthigh tortoises were discovered by Customs on board a Polish vessel which had come from Morocco.

Skye Serpentarium Reptile World eventually agreed to take the animals, with all three now healthy and happy.